5 Travel Jobs That Remain Popular Over The Years

Though the cornavirus pandemic has put a crimp in everyone’s traveling plans for 2020 – and possibly 2021, too – it is still okay to dream about traveling and even actively plan for it. And for people who got bounced out of a job due to the economic downturn, this may be a good time to consider getting a new job that will allow you to travel. Read on to find about the high quality travel jobs that remain popular over the years.

Because working remotely is so common now, you may not even have to give up your job to transition into a traveling job. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that in 2018, 25% of employees worked at least part-time from home. That trend is expected to rise higher in the post-COVID-19 world. In fact, some analysts believe 2020 could be the year we begin to see a major exodus from traditional work environments and exponential growth in remote work.

There are dozens upon dozens of high quality travel jobs in multiple industries and fields. Here are 5 that remain consistently high quality travel jobs and available:

Campground worker

This is a great job for backpackers and digital nomads who like being out in nature and travel around in an RV. Jobs will range from maintenance work exchanged for discounted campsite fees to full-blown guest check-in or management jobs in marinas and resorts.

Amazon even recruits workers for seasonal work in recruitment centers now. 

Regardless of what campground you work at, you can expect to be on your feet, lifting and moving around, so make sure you come prepared with comfortable, durable shoes. Men’s lace up work boots can be found in many styles these days and are a must in this kind of work.

ESL teacher

ESL (English as a second language) teaching has been around for a while and remains a popular choice for travel employment, especially for people who are interested in education, writing, and language. ESL programs allow you to immerse yourself in a foreign country and teach students there to read, write, and speak English.

The pandemic has complicated these programs but in normal times they are extremely popular and reliable. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Spain, and many Latin American countries are common destinations for ESL programs, though you may not always be able to choose the exact location you want. You will have to complete a certification program and receive the proper credentials before you can start an ESL job but many educators say it’s worth the effort. 

Traveling nurse

If you work in the healthcare industry and have training as a nurse, there are opportunities for you to travel between hospitals in foreign countries. Nurses are in particular demand right now because of the coronavirus; some countries will cover your housing and travel expenses, too.

Retail buyer

Retail purchasing has become an increasingly popular option for travel work, as savvy retail freelancers can be hired to advise companies on their buying habits and negotiate merchandising and licensing deals. Such a job can involve the buyer traveling to trade shows and conferences around the world and keeping track of a company’s in-store inventory.

Clothing is the most common and popular retail buying job but they exist in almost all retail industries. 

Travel writing

This is one of the oldest and most sought after travel jobs and is often glorified. In reality, it’s a very competitive field, in which millions of freelance writers pitch their work to trade magazines and online websites. However, there are more stable travel writing jobs. Reporting for National Goegraphic, for example, is a tough gig to land but once you do, you can find consistent work traveling and writing about some of the most beautiful landscapes and compelling cultural trends in the world.

There are many other travel jobs, ranging from digital nomads who work remotely for traditional companies, to expatriates and backpackers who are looking for adventure and pick up work along the way. Many avid travelers will simply exchange work for amenable living arrangements. Others make a gainful lifestyle out of their passion. Either way, no matter what line of work you’re in, finding employment abroad while you travel is completely within the realm of possibility.